Ryan D. Smith, Attorney

Ryan Smith is a business and franchise attorney with significant experience in several areas of business law. Ryan is one of a small percentage of attorneys worldwide who has specialized experience in franchise law. He has represented many start-up and thriving franchisors; prospective franchise purchasers; and existing franchisees.

Ryan also has significant experience with business sales and acquisitions – having prepared legal documentation for many such transactions for businesses in a variety of industries.

Ryan finds great satisfaction in helping start-up businesses start on the right track by organizing limited liability companies and corporations and protecting trademarks and other intellectual property.

He also helps new and established businesses by preparing or analyzing commercial leases; creating necessary contracts, which may include independent contractor agreements, non-competition and non-disclosure agreements, service contracts and other agreements; drafting website privacy policies and terms of use; submitting state seller of travel registrations; protecting copyrights; and other business legal matters.

Ryan has helped many clients resolve business and franchise disputes before litigation using alternative dispute resolution methods such as negotiation and mediation. He is viewed as a peacemaker and believes many disputes can and should be resolved without law suits.

As a practicing lawyer, Ryan pays unusual attention to customer relationships and satisfaction. Ryan is personable and enjoys meeting new people. He hopes that his clients will become friends for a lifetime.

Ryan is married and has five children.

Education

University of Oregon School of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2003

Brigham Young University, Bachelor of Arts, International Studies, 1999

Ryan graduated in the top 1/3 of his class at the University of Oregon School of Law. During law school, Ryan was an editor of the Oregon Review of International Law. Ryan competed well in client counseling and mediation competitions. One of Ryan’s most exciting memories from law school was scoring an A+ (a grade rarely awarded in law school) on his last law school final exam for his Legal Remedies course. Ryan’s education experience is consistent with his outlook on life – enjoy the journey and finish strong.

During the summer after his first year of law school, Ryan served as a legal research assistant with the World Family Policy Center – a United Nations accredited non-governmental organization. He researched international legal matters and composed legal memoranda. Ryan attended the United Nations Convention in New York on the A.I.D.s pandemic. Ryan used his talents and interests in international relations to forge relationships with United Nations delegates from various African and other countries.

Before law school, Ryan attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies with an emphasis on Global Economics and a minor in French Area Studies. Ryan thoroughly enjoyed his time as a student at BYU, and he is an enormous BYU sports fan.

Publications

Co-Author of Government Regulation of Franchises, in Advising Oregon Business, published by the Oregon State Bar Committee on Continuing Legal Education

Co-Author of Business Aspects of Franchising, in Advising Oregon Businesses, published by the Oregon State Bar Committee on Continuing Legal Education

Co-Author of Franchise Agreement Form, in Advising Oregon Businesses, published by the Oregon State Bar Committee on Continuing Legal Education

Note: These publications are prepared by lawyers for use by lawyers. Ryan was selected to co-author these publications based on his specialized experience in franchise law.